GB2531642A - Apparatus for forming and applying labels - Google Patents

Apparatus for forming and applying labels Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2531642A
GB2531642A GB1515592.2A GB201515592A GB2531642A GB 2531642 A GB2531642 A GB 2531642A GB 201515592 A GB201515592 A GB 201515592A GB 2531642 A GB2531642 A GB 2531642A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
label
substrate
weakening
line
leading
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB1515592.2A
Other versions
GB201515592D0 (en
GB2531642B (en
Inventor
John Cooper Michael
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Catchpoint Ltd
Original Assignee
Catchpoint Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Catchpoint Ltd filed Critical Catchpoint Ltd
Publication of GB201515592D0 publication Critical patent/GB201515592D0/en
Publication of GB2531642A publication Critical patent/GB2531642A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2531642B publication Critical patent/GB2531642B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
    • B65C9/08—Label feeding
    • B65C9/18—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls
    • B65C9/1803—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels being cut from a strip
    • B65C9/1807—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels being cut from a strip and transferred directly from the cutting means to an article
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
    • B65C9/08—Label feeding
    • B65C9/18—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls
    • B65C9/1896—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels being torn or burst from a strip
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
    • B65C9/08—Label feeding
    • B65C9/18—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
    • B65C9/08—Label feeding
    • B65C9/18—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls
    • B65C9/1803—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels being cut from a strip
    • B65C2009/1834—Details of cutting means
    • B65C2009/1846—Laser

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  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)

Abstract

A labeling apparatus introduces a line of weakness 10 between labels on a label substrate, between a locating means and an application means. In other terms the line of weakness is applied proximate the applicator. The line of weakness is formed by a laser 8. The proximity of the line of weakness 10 forming step to the applicator may mean that there is less time for the substrate to undesirably break, as opposed to having introduced the line of weakness, upstream, earlier on in the process.

Description

Apparatus for forming and applying labels The invention to which this application relates is apparatus for the formation and applying of labels in and from a web of label substrate and, in particular, although not necessarily exclusively, the formation of labels in a web of label substrate which does not include a backing layer or liner.
The applicant, in their co-pending patents and patent applications, describe apparatus for the separation of labels from a label substrate. The label substrate typically includes a front surface which is printed, a release layer and, on the rear surface, one or more layers of adhesive. The label supply can be provided without a liner or backing layer and thereby significant savings are achieved due, at least, to reduced wastage of material.
Conventionally, the label supply is formed by the cutting of a series of lines of weakening which are of a form and shape which define the peripheral outline of at least part of the label. In one embodiment, the line of weakening may define the trailing edge of a first label and the leading edge of the next label in the label supply. In order to allow the leading label to be separated from the label supply, the line of weakening is formed of a series of perforations and includes at least one slit which is of a longer length than the adjacent perforations and which slit acts as a means for encouraging the tearing of the line of weakening in order to allow the separation of the leading label and/or to receive a tool which further encourages the line of weakening to be broken.
Typically, the labels are formed in the label supply at a location which is remote from the point of application of the labels so that, for example, a roll of label substrate will be formed and then transported to the location of application with the lines of weakening and printing already formed prior to the transportation of the label supply. While, in many circumstances, this is acceptable, problems can occur in that the formation of the lines of weakening in the label supply prior to transportation can mean that there is a possibility of the lines of weakening separating too early, either during the formation of the same or during storage or transportation and, in any case, prior to separation at the location of application.
The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide apparatus and a method for the formation and/or application of labels in a manner which is repeatable and reliable.
In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for the formation of labels and the application of the same, said apparatus including locating means for a substrate having a front surface and a rear surface, with a layer of adhesive applied to the rear surface, means for forming a line of weakening to define at least part of the outline of a leading label on the substrate and means for separating the said formed leading label from the said label supply and applying the same to an article wherein the said line of weakening is formed by laser cutting at a location intermediate the locating means for the substrate and the point of application of the leading label from the substrate onto the article.
Thus in accordance with the invention the substrate from which the labels are formed can remain intact during the movement through the apparatus and, most typically, remains as a unitary substrate with no lines of weakening formed therein until close to the point of application of the leading label to an article. Furthermore, the leading label, even once it is formed, can remain a part of the substrate until the leading portion of the leading label has been applied to the article to which the whole label is subsequently to be applied.
In one embodiment, the one or more lasers are controlled to cut a line of weakening which defines the trailing edge of the leading label and the front edge of the next label in the label supply such that when the leading label is to be applied, the line of weakening is broken so as to separate the leading label and allow the application of the same to an article such as a pack or container.
In one embodiment, the line of weakening which is formed includes at least one slit which is longer in length than the adjacent perforations and said slit is provided to encourage the breaking of the line of weakening and/or for location with a tool which is provided as past of the apparatus at a location intermediate the location of the laser cutting apparatus and the point of application.
In one embodiment, the tool includes at least one protrusion which is brought into contact with the slit by relative movement between the substrate and the tool and/or between the substrate and the article to which the label is partially applied.
In one embodiment, a portion of the label adjacent the leading edge of the leading label is applied to the article prior to breaking the line of weakening to separate the leading label from the label supply.
Typically, the line of weakening which is formed using the laser is formed along an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the label supply towards the point of application.
In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a printing means which allows indicia to be printed onto the substrate in situ with the apparatus as herein described.
In one embodiment the printing occurs at or shortly before or after, the formation of the line of weakening. In this embodiment, the printing is created using the laser or lasers which arc also used to form the line of weakening. In one embodiment the substrate is a thermally reactive substrate so as to react to the heat created by the laser. In another embodiment the substrate is provided to be acted upon by the laser which may be controlled to operate within certain frequency ranges so as to create a required colour on the substrate. In on embodiment, if necessary, the substrate is coated or otherwise treated to allow the different colour effects to be achieved.
In one embodiment, the change of colour can be independently of, or caused by, the formation of the line of weakening in which case a change of colour in the substrate adjacent the line of weakening can occur and this can be used as an additional feature of the printing and/or may be used as authentication means and/or as an identification code for the label.
In another embodiment, the substrate is provided to the apparatus with indicia already printed and, in this case, the at least one laser is used to form the lines of weakening.
In a further embodiment, the laser is used to form one or more lines of weakening and/or to form complete cut lines so as to define a relatively complex shape in the substrate for each label. Alternatively, the substrate is provided with the outline of at least part of the label already formed therein prior to transport to the apparatus and the line of weakening which is created by the laser, at the apparatus, defines the remainder of the outline of each label and also acts as a means to define each label to be separated from the label supply in sequence.
In accordance with the invention there is therefore provided apparatus which allows a substrate to be formed into labels at the point of application without the labels being required to be prefouned or preprinted on the substrate. Furthermore the formation of the labels and/or the printing of the same is performed by the use of one or more lasers at the apparatus prior to the separation and application of the label by the same apparatus.
In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of forming and applying labels to articles, said method comprising the steps of providing apparatus for the application of labels, providing in said apparatus a location for a substrate on which the labels are to be formed, moving the substrate through the apparatus to a point of application at which a leading label from the label supply is separated and attached to an article and wherein intermediate the said substrate location and the point of application, there is provided at least one laser and operating the at least one laser to form a line of weakening in the substrate so as to define at least part of the outline of the leading label and then separating the said leading label from the substrate along the line of weakening to allow the said leading label to be applied to the article.
In one embodiment the line of weakening which is formed defines at least the trailing edge of the leading label.
In one embodiment, the method includes a step of printing indicia onto the labels intermediate the substrate location and the point of application.
In one embodiment, the said printing is achieved by using at least one laser and typically the substrate is a thermally reactive substrate.
In one embodiment, the method includes a step of forming a slit in the line of weakening to engage with a tool which encourages the separation of the leading label from the label supply once the line of weakening has been formed.
In one embodiment, the method includes a step of applying the leading edge of the leading label to the article to which the same is to be applied prior to the breaking of the line of weakening between the leading label and the label supply.
Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 illustrates the first embodiment of the invention in a schematic manner, Figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention in a schematic manner, Figures 3a and b illustrate further embodiments of the invention in a schematic manner, and Figure 4 illustrates plan view of apparatus formed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is illustrated in schematic fashion, the steps which are performed in relation to a first embodiment of the invention.
The method and apparatus steps of this embodiment include the provision of a location for a substrate 2, which is typically provided in a roll, and at which stage the substrate is not printed and has no, or only past of the definition of die outline of the labels formed thereon. In the example of Figure 1 there is no label definition in the substrate when it is supplied to the apparatus. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the label supply is a thermally reactive substrate for reasons which will be explained subsequently.
The leading edge of the substrate is moved in the direction of arrow 4 to bring the same into position 6 at which there is provided one or more lasers 8. The substrate is typically moved through the apparatus through the use and contact with one or more drive belts The laser is controlled to form a line of weakening 10 which defines the leading label on the substrate. The leading label 12 has a leading edge 14 and a trailing edge 16 which is defined by the line of weakening 10.
In this embodiment the same or another laser 8 is used to form printing indicia on the thermally reactive substrate so that as the substrate is moved past the laser location 8, the leading label 12 is printed and then at the end of the leading label, the line of weakening 10 is formed, and this is repeated for each subsequent label as the substrate is moved in the direction of arrow 4 and the leading labels are sequentially formed, separated from the substrate and applied to respective articles.
In accordance with Figure 1, there is also provided as part of the apparatus a tool or blade 18 which has at least one protrusion provided for engagement with at least one slit formed in the line of weakening 10. The location of the tool with the slit, causes the breaking of the line of weakening to be encouraged. This tool need not always be provided but can be provided as an option.
When the leading edge 14 of leading label 12, reaches the application point 20, the label is partially applied to an article (not shown) and, in one embodiment, relative movement differential between the article and the movement of the substrate encourages the breaking of the line of weakening 10 so as to separate the leading label 12 from the label supply and thereby allow the separated label 22 to be fully applied to the article and be moved away from the point of application. This process can then be repeated for each subsequent leading label as they are successively formed in the substrate.
Figure 2 illustrates a similar items of apparatus but, in this case, the substrate 2 has already been printed prior to being provided to the apparatus. This means that in this embodiment the laser 8 is only required to be used to form the lines of weakening 10 so as to define the leading label 12 in the label supply. Again, the tool 18 can be provided to encourage the breaking of the line of weakening 10 when it contacts the tool 18 and the separated label 22 can then be moved off with the article to which the same has been applied.
Figures 3a and b illustrate a further arrangement in which, in Figure 3a, there is illustrated a label supply 24 in which a portion of the outline of the label shape, indicated by the solid line 26, has already been performed and pre-cut prior to reaching the point of application. Thus, at the point of application, the laser 8 is located and used so as to form the line of weakening 10 so as to form the remainder of the outline of the label and then the line of weakening can be separated in the same manner as already explained with regard to Figures 1 and 2. In another embodiment the laser may be used to both form the line of weakening as already described and also be used to form the outline of the remainder of the label by forming a full cut line and thereby allowing the reminder of the substrate to be discarded. In this embodiment therefore the laser is used to form the entire label in the substrate at the apparatus at the point of application. Thus it is possible for the laser to cause all of the outline 26 to be formed by removing external material from the substrate which has the original shape indicated by Figure 3b.
Figure 4 illustrates apparatus 30 in plan in which the substrate is fed from the location 2 in the direction of arrow 4 to the point of application 20. The substrate is moved via belts 32, 34 and the label substrate is illustrated by the broken lines 36. At the location 8 there is provided at least one laser (not shown) which acts on the substrate 36 to form the line of weakening 10 therein and there is typically provided a gap between the drive belts 32, 34 and the further drive belt 38 which then moves the substrate further towards the tool 18 to cause the line of weakening 10 to be broken and the leading label to be released from the substrate 36. A guide plate 40 is provided to further guide the leading label towards the article onto which the label is applied. A sensor 42 can be provided to stop the movement of the label substrate, if required, and in one embodiment the sensor may detect the print marks which are caused by the laser cutting of the line of weakening and thereby use these as registration means.
It should also be appreciated that by using the laser cutting method as herein described, so it is possible to vary the strength of the line of weakening which is formed, and/or to determine the number of slits and/or the like which are formed in each line of weakening. Thus, the lines of weakening can be formed and tailored to suit particular applications such as, for example, the thickness of the label supply, the speed of application, the tearing strength which is required for the line of weakening and so on and therefore the use of the laser provides a significantly more adaptable means to allow the generation of the line of weakening and hence defining of the labels at the point of application rather than having this done at a remote location where the specific demands of, for examples different batches of substrate and labels are unknown. Thus, the apparatus allows the formation of the label at the point of application by the laser cutting of at least the line of weakening which is to be subsequently broken in order to allow the leading label to be applied.

Claims (21)

  1. Claims 1.Apparatus for the formation of labels and the application of the same, said apparatus including locating means for a substrate having a front surface and a rear surface, with a layer of adhesive applied to the rear surface, means for forming a line of weakening to define at least part of the outline of a leading label on the substrate and means for separating the said formed leading label from the said label supply and applying the same to an article wherein the said line of weakening is formed by laser cutting at a location intermediate the locating means for the substrate and the point of application of the leading label from the substrate onto the article.
  2. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the substrate from which the labels are formed remains intact during the movement through the apparatus.
  3. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the leading label, once formed, remains as part of the substrate until a leading portion of the leading label has been applied to the article to which the whole of the leading label is subsequently to be applied.
  4. 4 Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one laser is controlled to cut a line of weakening which defines the trailing edge of the leading label and the front edge of the next label in the label supply and when the leading edge of the leading label is applied to the article, the line of weakening is broken so as to separate the leading label.
  5. 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the line of weakening includes at least one slit which is longer in length than the adjacent perforations.
  6. 6 Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the apparatus includes a tool provided to locate with the said slit at a location intermediate the location of the laser and the point of application of the label.
  7. 7 Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the tool includes at least one protrusion which is brought into contact with the slit by relative movement between the substrate and the tool and/or between the substrate and the article to which the label is partially applied.
  8. 8 Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the line of weakening which is formed using the laser is formed along an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the label supply towards the point of application of the leading label to the article.
  9. 9 Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes a printing means which allows indicia to be printed onto the substrate.
  10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the printing means is located such that printing occurs on the substrate at or adjacent to the location at which the line of weakening is formed.
  11. 11. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the printing means are the same laser or lasers which are used to form the line of weakening.
  12. 12 Apparatus according to any of claims 9-11 wherein the substrate is a thermally reactive substrate so as to react to the heat created by the printing means.
  13. 13. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the substrate is provided to be acted upon by the at least one laser which is controlled to operate within certain frequency ranges so as to create a required printed colour on the substrate.
  14. 14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the substrate is coated or otherwise treated to allow printed effects to be achieved.
  15. 15.Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the substrate is provided with the outline of at least part of each label already formed therein prior to transport to the apparatus and the line of weakening which is created by the laser, at the apparatus, defines the remainder of the outline of each label and also acts as a means to allow each label to be separated from the label supply in sequence.
  16. 16. A method of forming and applying labels to articles, said method comprising the steps of providing apparatus for the application of labels, providing in said apparatus a location for a substrate on which the labels are to be formed, moving the substrate through the apparatus to a point of application at which a leading label from the label supply is separated and attached to an article and wherein intermediate the said substrate location and the point of application, there is provided at least one laser and operating the at least one laser to form a line of weakening in the substrate so as to define at least part of the outline of the leading label and then separating the said leading label from the substrate along the line of weakening to allow the said leading label to be applied to the article.
  17. 17. A method according to claim 16 wherein the line of weakening which is formed defines at least the trailing edge of the leading label.
  18. 18 A method according to claim 16 wherein the method includes a step of printing indicia onto the labels intermediate the substrate location and the point of application.
  19. 19 A method according to claim 18 wherein the said printing is achieved by using at least one laser and the substrate is a thermally reactive substrate.
  20. 20. A method according to claim 16 wherein the method includes a step of forming a slit in the line of weakening to engage with a tool which encourages the separation of the leading label from the label supply once the line of weakening has been formed.
  21. 21.A method according to claim 16 wherein the method includes a step of applying the leading edge of the leading label to the article to which the same is to be applied prior to the breaking of the line of weakening between the leading label and the label supply.
GB1515592.2A 2014-09-04 2015-09-03 Apparatus for forming and applying labels Active GB2531642B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB1415680.6A GB201415680D0 (en) 2014-09-04 2014-09-04 Apparatus for forming and applying lables

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201515592D0 GB201515592D0 (en) 2015-10-21
GB2531642A true GB2531642A (en) 2016-04-27
GB2531642B GB2531642B (en) 2020-08-19

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GBGB1415680.6A Ceased GB201415680D0 (en) 2014-09-04 2014-09-04 Apparatus for forming and applying lables
GB1515592.2A Active GB2531642B (en) 2014-09-04 2015-09-03 Apparatus for forming and applying labels

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GBGB1415680.6A Ceased GB201415680D0 (en) 2014-09-04 2014-09-04 Apparatus for forming and applying lables

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Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2012017111A (en) * 2010-07-06 2012-01-26 Koyo Automatic Machine Co Ltd Labeling machine with perforation forming device, and perforation forming method to label

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2012017111A (en) * 2010-07-06 2012-01-26 Koyo Automatic Machine Co Ltd Labeling machine with perforation forming device, and perforation forming method to label

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201515592D0 (en) 2015-10-21
GB2531642B (en) 2020-08-19
GB201415680D0 (en) 2014-10-22

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